'He's enjoying Devon life' - Santini faces Enrilo on debut for Polly Gundry

Friday: 2.25 Cheltenham
Betfair Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 3m2f | 4yo+ | RTV/ITV4

Who knows how close Enrilo would have gone in the Ladbrokes Trophy? Few were travelling better than the Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old when he clipped the top of the 14th fence and sent rider Harry Cobden crashing to the turf.

Despite boasting the stamina to have proved strong in the closing stages of Newbury's feature chase, Enrilo would have needed a career-best effort to have lived with winner Cloudy Glen and runner-up Fiddlerontheroof. But he was certainly shaping well.

Had he completed that race and finished in the first three, it is likely he would be an extremely warm order for this significantly weaker contest. Therefore, as the general 5-2 favourite, does Enrilo represent value?

I think he's around the right price, so he doesn't scream value, but either of his last two completed performances, especially his first-past-the-post effort in the bet365 Gold Cup in April, would be good enough to take this prize.

Enrilo (second right): finished first past the post in the bet365 Gold Cup before being demotedCredit: Edward Whitaker

Enrilo's major downfall is that he idles in front and the Cheltenham hill could highlight that weakness. On the plus side, he is helped by the participation of the enigmatic Santini, who makes his debut for trainer Polly Gundry and forces the weights down due to his lofty official rating of 159. It is hard to know what to expect from the topweight.

Badger Beer winner Rocco and third Hurricane Harvey face off again and could prove major dangers to Enrilo as they step up in grade from Listed company.

The pair have been freshened up since their Wincanton runs and carry light weights of just 10st 6lb and 10st 2lb respectively. Preference is for Hurricane Harvey, who lost his chance with a couple of awkward leaps last time but is expected to improve.

Returning after wind surgery is Commodore, who regularly performs best when fresh and was only three lengths down when he unseated Charlie Deutsch at the last in this race last year. He is 1lb out of the handicap but remains a key contender.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

'Santini's working over everything'

Santini is "enjoying the Devon life" according to new trainer Polly Gundry, who is hopeful that the change of scenery will revitalise the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up.

No British-trained horse has gone closer to Gold Cup glory in the last three seasons than the highly touted nine-year-old, but after a neck defeat to Al Boum Photo he was disappointing in four starts last season.

This summer, Santini was surprisingly switched away from six-time champion trainer Nicky Henderson to Gundry's small-scale operation near Exeter and he now makes his debut for the yard, and has his first test at handicap level. His mark is 13lb lower than when in his pomp.

Santini (grey silks): beaten a neck in the 2020 Cheltenham Gold CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gundry said: "I'm quite nervous as you can imagine – having him was as big a shock to me as it was to anyone.

"He seems to be enjoying the Devon life. He's been hunting twice and has done some cross-country schooling. He's had fun but I think he'll be a professional on the racecourse and should go well.

"He'll come on a little bit for the race, as mine always do, but he's done masses at home. He's quite a relaxed individual but he's working over everything. I think he's doing well but I haven't got too much to judge it on."

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Enrilo
It was unfortunate when he fell last time. Harry [Cobden, jockey] hadn't asked any questions of him. I don't normally like running them too quick but he seems to be very well, so why not? It's a nice race for him. He doesn't want it too soft, so the ground should be perfect.

Alex Hales, trainer of Fagan
I think the lack of a run found him out last time but he's come out of the race really well. This looked the logical stepping stone to the veterans' final at Sandown. It looks pretty open but conditions will suit and he's run well there before.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Rocco
He won the Badger Beer last time and is in good form. I hope he'll run well again and we hope he can continue improving. The ground is fine for him.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Hurricane Harvey
I was delighted with his run in the Badger Beer. After he jumped two I thought we were in trouble but he put in a nice performance. I'd be very hopeful he'll stay the trip.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Commodore
He could do with a bit of rain. He was running well in the race last season but came down at the last. If he's in similar form, he should run a nice race.
Reporting by James Stevens

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